Nico Hoerner will be looking to extend his 17-game on-base streak as the Chicago Cubs (12-7) host the Los Angeles Dodgers (10-11) at Wrigley Field on Saturday. The Cubs evened the series 1-1 after winning 13-0 on Friday, their third head-to-head victory in five games this season.
Starter Drew Smyly threw 7.2 scoreless innings – striking out 10 – to get the win. Hoerner’s on-base streak hit 17 as he went 4 for 5 with a home run and four RBIs in the win.
Cody Bellinger added a home run and a double. He scored two runs. David Peralta had the only hit for Los Angeles, going 1 for 1 for the Dodgers.
ON THE MOUND
Dustin May (1-1, 3.00 ERA) is in line to start for Los Angeles. The righty allowed five runs over 5.2 innings in his last start, an 8-6 road defeat against the Mets on Monday. He scattered eight hits while striking out one in the no-decision.
Righty Hayden Wesneski (1-0, 4.15 ERA) gets the ball for Chicago. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Dodgers. In his last start on Monday, Wesneski got the win on the road against the Athletics. He threw seven innings and gave up one run on five hits, striking out seven, in the 10-1 victory.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Los Angeles has averaged 4.0 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 5.0. Against righties like Wesneski this season, the Dodgers have ann .815 OPS, second highest in the league.
Max Muncy is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a 1.034 OPS in 42 at-bats. Chicago is averaging 8.2 runs per game in the last five, up from 6.0 for the season, with an improved slash line (.332/.402/.551).
The Cubs have a .779 OPS against right-handers in 2023, fifth highest in MLB. With a 1.095 OPS over 52 at-bats, Ian Happ has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Los Angeles is 4-5 in away games in 2023, scoring 5.2 runs per game while allowing 6.3 runs. Chicago has gone 6-5 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 5.3 runs per game while surrendering 4.1. The teams have split their last 10 games head-to-head at Wrigley Field with an average scoreline of 4.3-4.3.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Dodgers are second in the NL West, one games behind the division-leading Diamondbacks. The Cubs are third in the NL Central, two games behind the Brewers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
LA Dodgers (-135)
Want up to a $1K risk free bet for this pick?
Claim with 
today!
If you need more news, information and predictions, head over to our MLB hub page for all your baseball needs!
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
